Hope & Gloria - Sewing Inspiration for Children

Saturday, May 2, 2015

Fruit or to be precise fruit motifs have taken been centre stage at our sewing clubs this half term. We are making fun and fabulous applique cushions in a range of bold and bright fruit motifs.

I am a big fan of the pear design. What I love about pears is that you can recognise the shape instantly and they just somehow look rather fun and cheerful.

Continuing the fruit theme, I thought I'd share how to make these rather cute pincushions. This one is made in green felt but you could also have lots of fun with them making multicoloured or patterned pincushions (like the one in the background). They are a great way to use up scraps of fabric or felt.

Here's how to make them....

You will need: small pieces of green felt, scraps of dark green and brown felt, soft toy filling, thread.

Step one:

Cut four slim pear shapes from the green felt. Mine are approximately 10cm in height and 6cm in width at the widest point.

Step two:

Pin two of the pear shapes together and sew along the outside edge of one half. Repeat with the other two pear shapes.

Step three:

Open out the two pear halves you have made.

Step four:

Place the two halves on top of each other lining up the outside edges. Pin and sew around the outside edges leaving a gap at the top for stuffing.

Hope & Gloria Childrens' Sewing

About Me

Hello my name is Keeley. I am the Founder and Director of Hope & Gloria Ltd and I am very lucky that my favourite pastime and passion is also my career. I started Hope & Gloria Ltd four years ago with a sewing club at my childrens' school. Today at Hope & Gloria my team and I teach 550, 7 to 11 year olds how to sew each week. Our clubs run in schools across the East Berkshire and North Surrey area. We also run hugely popular holiday workshops. It is quite simply incredibly rewarding. I love everything about my job from designing the projects we make in our clubs through to seeing them completed by the children who come to our clubs. Children adore making cool and funky accessories which they are proud to take home.
Sewing has always been a passion of mine. I was lucky enough to be taught to sew, embroider and knit by my truly wonderful Grandmother and Aunt from the age of five. This led to a lifelong passion and these days I remain addicted to beautiful fabric.
My other full time job is being a Mum to my three amazing boys aged 13, 12 and 10 - my most rewarding challenge.
I live in Berkshire with my fab husband Giles, our boys, our dog Elsie and cat Bear.